Brake



Feb. l, 1938. A B CADMAN 2,106,717

BRAKE Filed Nov. 1, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheetl INVENTOR" B @4a/d2' f5. Oar/dwarf? Fmg@ Gum', @uw

ATTORNEYS Feb. .1, 193s. A, B, CADMAN ,l 2,196,717

BRAKE Filed Nov. 1, 19,35 2 sheets-sheet 2 ill M m mw.

ATTORNEYS l ram l, -Y

fi'his invention reistes generally to friction brakes of the rector used on automotive vehicles. end more particularly to a brake of the type in which a wrapping or self-energizing action is huilt up when the brake is applied.

ne obiect of the invention is to provide in a brake or the bove general character a' novel means for applying the actuating pressure so that the wrapping action may build up properly throughout the entire circumference of the rotateble brake element.' i

The invention also resides in the novel charactor of the pressure applying mechanism and the construction thereof which permits the brake to he actuated by more than one operator.

Another object is to provide a self-energizingv brake in which the pressure for initiating the self-energinng action is applied in e. manner such es `to avoid the possibility of the non-rotatable braking element becoming wedged against the intended self#energizing movement.

Still another object is to provide a self-enerein brake in which the point of maximum pressure between the engaging friction surfaces is shifted circumferentlally as the surfaces wear whereby to provide for more even distribution of wear.

A further object is to provide in a ,self-enersizing brake a novel means for preventing lateral shifting of the non-rotatable braking element when the latter isin engagement with the drum surface.

Other 'objects and advantages of the linven- A tion will become .apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection` with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional view of a vehicle brake embodying vthe features of the present invenf tion, the section being taken along the line I--l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, the parts being in brake-released position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig.

' 2 showing the parts in brake-applied positions.

Fig. 5 is a sectional vi,V w similar to Fig. 1 showing a modied form of brake.

Figs. il and 'I are fragmentary sectional views taken along the line 8-6 of Fig. 5 and showing the parts in brake-released and brake-applied positions respectively;

siennes-401mm?.

y f wir.

f Application November i, i935, Serial No. d? s claims. (ci. reise)- While the venti is susceptible of variousmodifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in de the preferred embodiment, but it is to vbe .understood that I do not thereby in-v tend to limit the. invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modiiications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended ci In the exemplary form shown in the drawings, the invention is embodied in a vehicle brake of the internal expanding type having arotatable friction element in the form ci a drum 9 rotatably supported from a vehicle axlel iii. The nonrotetable braking member is of the band type comprising a flexible strip i i oi metal to which are riveted or otherwise secured ents i2 of suitable friction material. The band encircles and is supported for longitudinal movement by means including a lug i3 on a nonrotatable `anchor plate it which ciosesthe open end of the drum. ln the present instance, the band encircles the entire internal cylindrical surface of the drum with its ends sed adjacent each other and carrying rigid brackets iii arranged to abut againstoppcsite sides of a stop l integral with In the Abreites illustrated, brake actuating'force is applied to the ends ofthe band by either of 'to 4, theequalizing bar includes a lever I1 pivoted on an eccentric stud Il rigid with a shaft I8 which is journaled in the anchor plate Il and carries an external crank arm 20 which may be oscillated through the medium of a link 2| in any preferred way. Projecting laterally from the lever i1 are arman which carry pins 22* on which Pairs ofapaced Vrollers 23 are held by cotter pins 28e. The rollers 2l bear against surfaces 24 formed on the brackets il and extendiing in a generally circumferential direction.

` Owing to the eccentrlclty of the stud I8, it will be observed that when the operating lever 2B is swungin either direction from the normal brakeand 'projecting inwardly from the anchor plate i is.

released position shown in Fig. 2; the equalizing bar formed by the lever I1 and the arms 22 will be moved' bodily in an outward radial direction so that the rollers 2l acting through the medium of the brackets I5 will press the end portions of the band outwardly against the drum. Assuming that the drum vis rotating in a clockwise direction, the friction force applied to the band by the drum when the segments I2 contact the internal drum surface will force the end IIb of the band toward the stop I4 and carry'the end II away from the stop as shown in Fig. 3. As a result, a wrapping or self-energizing action will be built up throughout the length of the band thereby increasing the eii'ectlve braking action in a manner well understood in the art. When the actuating forcev is-relieved, contractile springs 25 acting between the band II and the arms 22 op erate to return the equalizing bar to the normal brake-released position shown in Fig. 2., The parts operate in the same way when thercrank arm 2l is actuated with the drum rotating in a counter-clockwise direction. In this case, the. band end I Il anchors against the stop I9 and the end I I b moves with the drum away from the stop.

In the movement of the actuated end 'of the band away from the stop I9, one of the rollers 23 rides along the surface 24 of the bracket.' To insure-freedom of movement of the actuated end of the band and avoid the possibility of a reduc'- tion in the effective braking force by a wedging of the band end and bracket between the drum and the active roller 23, the surface 24 is disposed at a small angle 21 relative to a tangent 28 to the roller 23 at the point of contact between this roller-and the surface 24. /By virtue of this arrangement, the roller will continue to move outwardly as the band end continues to move away from the stop. In thisgway, the possibility of the movable band end becoming held against circumferential movement by the actuating mechanism is effectually overcome and the nelcessity for forming the surfaces 24 and locating them with a high degree of accuracy in manufacture of the brake is avoided.

In the present instance, the power actuator for the brake is of the momentum type comprising an annular magnet ring-29 mounted to oscillate on a bearing 39 on the anchor plate I4 and adapted when energized to attract an armature ring 3| rotatable with the drum and sup ported for yielding axial movement by the inturned flange 32 of thedrum. It willv be appar-,7 ent that when the magnet winding 33 is ener;M gized, the magnet will grip the armature and? turn therewith. This movement is communicated to the lever I1 through the medium of a stud 34 projecting rigidly from the b ack of the magnet into the bifurcated free end of the lever I1. The resulting oscillation of the lever I1 about 'the stud I9, which at this time remains fixed. applies an outward pressure to one end or the other of 'the band depending on the directionof oscillation of the magnet. This results in expansion of the band in the manner above described,

it being apparent'th'at after the clearance between the band and drum have been taken up.. slippage occurs between the magnet and armature,4 the -brake being held set so long as the magnet remains energized. When the magnet is deenergized. the springs 25 act torestore the band, the lever I1l and the magnet to the normal brake-released position. A

To maintain the magnet. ring 29 in proper axial position relative to its bearing support, outwardly projecting radial ribs 35 are secured to` the magnet and are adapted to bear in all anguiar positions of the magnet against a shoulder formed by a washer 36 mounted on a bolt 31 which extends through the anchor plate and carries a spring 38 pressing the washer against an adjusting nut 39.

.To insure more even wearing of the friction material surfaces and to avoid wear on the band supports such as might be occasioned by lateral weaving of the band under the action of spiral grooveswhich sometimes form in the drum surface, means is provided at circumferentially` spaced points along the band forr holding the band against lateral movement while at the same time permitting of the longitudinal movement incident to application of thebrake. One of these means comprises an elongated lug 40 rigid with the bandV I I nearthe center thereof and seated in a groove 4I formed in the lug I3 of the anchor plate.

The guide means at the ends of the band comprises a rib 42 rigid with each bracket l5 and upstanding `from and extending longitudinally of the bearing surface 24 between the spaced sections of the rollers 23. Since the lever I1 is held by the shaft I9 and the nut 43 against axial movement, the ends of the band will also be held against lateral movement by virtue of the engagement between the rollers 23 and the ribs 42.

In the modied form of brake shown in Figs. 5 to 8, the parts are numbered to correspond to Figs. 1 to 4, and the equalizing bar is in the form of a lever 44 pivotedv on a pin 45 on the bracket I5 on one end of the band. The free end 45 of the lever isformed with a surface 41 which bears against a roller 48 on a pin 49 carried by the other bracket I5. As inthe case of the surfaces 24, the surface 4l is inclined at an angle 50 relative to a tangent 5I solas to permit free movement of the band end Il* away from the stop I5 when the brake is applied withA the drum rotating in a clockwise direction. By virtue of the bearing engagement between the roller 48 and the surface 41, movement of the band end Il!" \a short crank arm 52 on which is supported a roller 53 bearing against a surface 44 intermediate the ends of the lever44. Thus, when the lever 20 is moved from the brake-released position (Fig. 6) in the actuated position (Fig. 7) the equalizing lever 44 will be moved bodily in an outward radial direction thereby distributing the actuating force to opposite ends of the band. If the drum is rotating in a counter-clockwise direction, the band end I I b will mo've away from the stop I9 as indicated in Fig. 7, the surface 41 riding along the roller 48. When the actuating force is relieved, Vsprings 54 acting between the brackets I5 operate to restore the parts to their released position shown in Fig. 6.

In -the modified form of brake. the oscillatory movement of the stud 34 on the magnet is communicated to one end or the other of the brake through the medium of levers 55 pivoted on studs 58 carried by the stop I6 and formed intermedi ate their ends with cam surfaces 51 which bear against the flattened ends of the band brackets I5. Thus, when the magnet is energized and the stud 34 moves out of brake-released position, one or the other of the levers 55, according to the dilapplication of the actuating force.

rection of rotation of the drum, will be moved to expandthe band.

Inbrakesvof the character above described, it will bey apparent that the wrapping or self-energizin'g action builds up progressively throughout the length of the band beginning at the point of y As a result, the radial pressure between the band and the drum increases progressively along the band beginning at the point of application of the actuating force, the maximum radial pressure being 1applied at the'anchored end of the band: consequently there is a tendency for the friction material on the latter end to wear off more rapidly.

The present invention contemplates prolonging the service life of the braking element by shifting the point of maximum radial pressure circumferentially along the braking element as the lat'- ter wears. To this end, means is provided for iimiting the outward radial movement of the anchored end of the band after the friction segment l2 carried by this end has worn down to a predetermined permissible degree. In the present instance, this means comprises a pin t projecting rigidly from the surface of the stop i@ against which the band bracket it abuts into a recess '59 in the bracket.- The recess is elongated in a radial direction as shown inFigs. 7 and 8, so that as the friction material l2 at the end of the band wears off, the wall t@ o the slot 5@ moves closer to the pin t. LYW'lfien the two engage, iurther outwardradial movement of the band end will be prevented withthe result that in subsequent applications o the brake the point of maximum pressure application will be shifted along the band away from the stop I S. In this way, wear on that end portion of the band which anchors when the brake is applied with the vehicle moving forwardly is distributed more evenly thereby prolonging the service life of the band segments. Preferably, the bracket i on the other end of the band is also formed with a slot 58 so that the position of the band in the drum may be reversed after one end has worn oif to the permissible degree. l I claim as my invention: l l

l. A friction brake comprising', in combination,

a rotatable drum, a fixed stop disposed adjacent the internal drum surface, a friction band extending around the internal surface of said drum withv its ends disposed on opposite sides of and normally drawn into abutment with said stop, a lever swingable about a pivot adjacent said drum and disposed substantially radially when in brakereleased position, oppositely projecting arms rigid with said lever intermediate the ends thereof and having bearing engagement with the opposite end portions oi' said band whereby one or the other of said end portions will be pressed outwardly against the drum according to the direction of oscillation of said lever, an operating member for said lever pivotally connected to the tree end thereof and mounted for oscillation about the drum axis, andauxiliary actuating means operable to shift the pivot of said lever outwardly tcward said drum surface.

2. A friction brake comprising, in combination, a rotatable drum, a Xed stop disposed adjacent theinternal drum surface, a friction band extending around the internal surface of said drum with its ends disposed on opposite sides of and normally drawn into abutment with said stop, a'lever swingable about a fixed pivot disposed adjacent said drum, contractile springs acting between said lever and the end portions of said band to maintain the lever substantially in a radial brakereleased position, means on said lever having bearing engagement with the opposite end poitions of said band whereby one or the other of said end portions will be pressed outwardly ina generally radial direction against the drum according tothe direction of oscillation of said lever, and an operating member for swingingsaid lever about said pivot.

3. A friction brake comprising, in combination, a rotatable drum, a xed stop disposed adjacent the internal drum surface, a friction band extending around the internal surface of said drinn with its ends disposed on opposite sides of and normally drawn into abutment with said stop, a lever swingable about a pivot supported by said stop adjacent said drum and disposed sub' stantially radially u'vhen'in braise-released position, oppositely projecting arms rigid with said lever intermediate the ends thereof and having bearing engagement withthe'opposite end portions oi said band whereby one or the other of said end portions will be pressed outwardly against the drum according to the direction of oscillation of said lever. and an operating member for said lever pivotally connected to the free end thereof and mound for oscillation about the drum axis. d. A self-energizing friction brake having, in combination, a rotatablel drum, a exible band extending around the internal cylindrical surface of said drum, an anchor for one end of the band, means to press the other end against the drum surface whereby to cause a self-energizing action to be built up through the band. and means to limit the outward movement of the anchored end of the band after the friction surface thereon has worn down to a predetermined extent whereby to shift the point of maximum pressure application away from said anchor end. I

5. A self-energizing friction brake having, in combination, a rotatable drum, a fiexible band extending around the internal cylindrical sur face of said drum, a stop interposed between adjacent ends of said band, actuating means associated with said ends to press one end or the other against said drum surface according to the direction of drum rotation and cause the other end to anchor against said stop, interengaging surfaces on said stop and one end of said band acting to limit the outward radial movement oi' such end and thereby shift the point of maximum pressure application away from said end after the surface of the latter has been worn to a predetermined degree, and means on the other end of said band adapted for interengagement with said stop in a similar way when the position of the band in said drum is reversed.

6. A self-energizing friction brakel having, in combination, a rotatable drum, an elongated relatively dexible element extending along the in* ternal drum surface and carrying a layer of friction material, means for anchoring one end of said element against circumferential move y ment inone direction, operating means by which the other end portionv may be pressed' 'against said drum surface to initiate the building up of a self-energizing mtlon throughout said element, and means associated with the anchored end and operating to permit a limited outward radial movement thereof less than the thickness of said layer whereby to shift the point of maximumv 8. A friction brake comprising, in combination,l

a rotatable drum. a relatively ilexibie member extending around vthe internal surface o! said drum and carrying a layer of friction material adapted to be pressed against the drum surface upon expansion of said member, means for exl panding said member, and means operating upon wearing oi! oi said layer to a predetermined degree at one point around the drum to positively prevent 'further outward movement of said member at such point whereby to'cause distribution of the eective expanding pressure to an adjacent portion oi said layer spaced circumferentiaily from point.

ADDI BENJAMrN CADMAN. 

